Is this the coveted 2009 Trail Edition?

[hawaiian05]

Oh well, was worth the attention. Playing it smart by not financing if at all possible... As for the unique/collector factor, I completely agree with you on that one. I still haven't found my 3rd gen highlander 4x4 w/5spd & diff lock, but oh well!

 

[t-man]

Little off subject, but if one was to find a rear diff with the E-locker what would be required to make the locker engage after putting it in my T4R??

 

[kevinpt]

Little off subject, but if one was to find a rear diff with the E-locker what would be required to make the locker engage after putting it in my T4R??

just wire it. it would not have the dash light like the trail but it would not be hard to wire

 

[Jeremy556]

Little off subject, but if one was to find a rear diff with the E-locker what would be required to make the locker engage after putting it in my T4R??

You better get the axle housing with it. You'll have to do a good bit of fab work on a non-elocker housing to make the elocker fit.

 

[t-man]

You better get the axle housing with it. You'll have to do a good bit of fab work on a non-elocker housing to make the elocker fit.

Good to know! Thanks. Maybe I'll look around this spring and see if I can find one. FJ and 4runner both have same mounting points on the rear axle right?

just wire it. it would not have the dash light like the trail but it would not be hard to wire

That's what I was thinking but didn't know if there was anything special for it.

 

[theriddler]

By the time it's all said and done, it's cheaper to get the ARB locker than to swap in a whole new rear end. If you're like me though, I try to keep everything as Toyota as I can.

 

[28.]

As much as I'd love to have a 4th Gen Trail, I think I still prefer the V8 option better. Not saying either is better but just like the feel of the V8 more. Plus for the price, you can get a V8 with 4WD and get it locked for a lot less. Just personal opinion. I know alot of folks hate on the timing belt, but other than doing that once or twice(depending how long you own it), the V8 is damned reliable. And do check the actuator, the whole use it or lose it is no joke. Good luck on whatever you go with. It's a win win anyway :laugh:

 

[t-man]

As much as I'd love to have a 4th Gen Trail, I think I still prefer the V8 option better. Not saying either is better but just like the feel of the V8 more. Plus for the price, you can get a V8 with 4WD and get it locked for a lot less. Just personal opinion. I know alot of folks hate on the timing belt, but other than doing that once or twice(depending how long you own it), the V8 is damned reliable. And do check the actuator, the whole use it or lose it is no joke. Good luck on whatever you go with. It's a win win anyway :laugh:

Agreed. I love the V8 and can't imagine life without it. I know the V6 is healthy and people say there's not much of a difference, but my mom has an FJ and she can't come close to keeping up with me, on or off road. Plus, if you get an 03 or 04 you can put the supercharger on it! :bat:

 

[Synister]

Definitely is a Trail Edition! I don't know how serious you are about purchasing it, and in no way am I trying to steer you away from it, but take into consideration the fact that it is a very limited and rare trim. Although that is what makes it that much cooler and unique, it also can bring headaches, at least from what I've seen from friend's past experiences.

For the most part, the body, interior, and electrical components are the same as an Sr5, but of course it does have the locking rear diff. My main concern would be that if something was to ever go wrong with that third member, you may run into some issues with price and availability. As far as the rest of the driver train, I'd assume it's all the same, but I'd look into it beforehand.

I had considered a Trail Edition before I bought my sport, but once I realized the potential issues that I might face with having such a rare trim, I decided against it. I figured that with the open diff's increased size, which would make it stronger, plus the fact that an ARB locker would be cheaper than the increased price of the Trail trim, it was a more feasible route. Plus the seller KNEW what he had and wanted more because of that. In this case, the seller doesn't appear to know, given the ad doesn't say anything about "Trail Edition."

Again, not trying to discourage in any away. That thing looks clean and is definitely worth checking out if you're in the market for one. Just make sure you know what you are getting into before hand. I have a friend with a 22RE-T (turbo model) and I see how much struggle he has to go through to finds parts for it, given it is such an odd/rare commodity. Of course, different circumstances since his is engine related and over 25 yrs old, but figured it was worth mentioning.

This is kind of a ridiculous thing to say. 99% of the truck is the same as an SR5. The only things unique to the TE are the Trail Edition badge for which you need a TE vin to get replaced and the instrument cluster which has the lights for the rear locker and ATRAC.

 

[hawaiian05]

This is kind of a ridiculous thing to say. 99% of the truck is the same as an SR5. The only things unique to the TE are the Trail Edition badge for which you need a TE vin to get replaced and the instrument cluster which has the lights for the rear locker and ATRAC.

You're a little late to the conversation and I'm sorry if you're offended by my initial post. As I made it clear, I'm not bashing on TE's in any way, even admitted I'd probably have went against my own logic and purchased one had there been one locally for sale... Seems the only ones that get offended are the trail edition owners, but at least CHMURA was contributing by looking up actual part numbers instead of just saying that my post is ridiculous.

 

[theriddler]

Either way, you can't go wrong with any choice of package since you can pretty much make it the way you like by swapping parts over. The only exception being the engine, if you must have a V8 it wouldn't be practical to convert a V6 to a V8. I don't drive fast or pull heavy loads so the V6 has more than enough power for what I do. I just like the cool factor and features of the Trail Edition, even if the only thing of value is the rear locker. Think about the factory front and rear lockers of the Land Cruisers and Lexus LX450's of the mid-late '90s, I think it's neat that Toyota still has the balls to put these products out to the .1% of people that actually use them.

 

[Riparian]

I've got an 09 TE that looks very similar (though not quite as clean) to the one you have posted here. It's a really neat package -- the locker is what sold me, but I also really like the water-resistant seats and, though I haven't had a chance to use it yet, the selectable ATRAC is also a cool feature.

I wouldn't pay a huge premium for the package, but if you have the option of getting one without too much trouble or expense, I think it's worth it. I own the only one I've ever seen in person, so that's pretty cool.

 

[coconutpete]

$20K! 116K Miles, non-OEM leather and aftermarket seat heaters? The trail edition must be HIGHLY desirable to demand that kind of coin.

I would hope to get that price for my V8 with every option in the book and 40K less miles. This is certainly good news for when I put mine up for sale.

 

[hawaiian05]

I've got an 09 TE that looks very similar (though not quite as clean) to the one you have posted here. It's a really neat package -- the locker is what sold me, but I also really like the water-resistant seats and, though I haven't had a chance to use it yet, the selectable ATRAC is also a cool feature.

I wouldn't pay a huge premium for the package, but if you have the option of getting one without too much trouble or expense, I think it's worth it. I own the only one I've ever seen in person, so that's pretty cool.

Exactly my thoughts. Definitly a cool package and if the price is right, then I woulda got one. But then again I only came across two in my search and both were priced way too high, let alone they were numerous states away and I wasn't in the position to travel at the time. Had I found a decent priced one in a reasonable location I'd def check it out (and probably get it). Very much a cool and unique factor, but only worth getting if th situation is right.

And thanks for not bashing me about my TE comments!

 

[antemeridian]

new TE owner in CA

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum here. First post in fact!
Seemed appropriate: I bought an '09 Trail Edition last month in San Diego. White, just 66k mi on it. (yeah, I know right?)

Everything seems to function just fine, though it hasn't been offroad yet. (will soon)

Wanted to send a thanks to this forum for all the info on this model prior to, and after my purchase. Particularly to 'chmura'. Thanks for documenting your vehicle and its oddities like the navigation thing.

As yet haven't made any mods to it. Not planning too much actually..

It needs tires and I'll be stepping up to 265/75r16 on the stock 16" TE rims. I've read a healthy selection here of the gazillion "Can I run 75-profile tires without rubbing?" posts. hah.

thanks again all!

 

[theriddler]

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum here. First post in fact!
Seemed appropriate: I bought an '09 Trail Edition last month in San Diego. White, just 66k mi on it. (yeah, I know right?)

Everything seems to function just fine, though it hasn't been offroad yet. (will soon)

Wanted to send a thanks to this forum for all the info on this model prior to, and after my purchase. Particularly to 'chmura'. Thanks for documenting your vehicle and its oddities like the navigation thing.

As yet haven't made any mods to it. Not planning too much actually..

It needs tires and I'll be stepping up to 265/75r16 on the stock 16" TE rims. I've read a healthy selection here of the gazillion "Can I run 75-profile tires without rubbing?" posts. hah.

thanks again all!

Congrats on the Runner, post some pics for us!

 

[Dylan]

I'm ok either way and SR5, Trail Edition or Sport...you can always mod it to your liking. Except for that unique Tom Tom radio, haven't seen too many of those offered by the aftermarket (none to be exact).

I wouldn't worry about that Tom Tom, you can get those for cheap... plus it looks so fugly. You can also find a better stereo and aftermarket gps combination to suit your needs.